(I think you should buy an Engel :) - Solar panels for real men!

Mike, Jim mounted our first panel on a frame made of lightweight timber, with a stand. It could be propped up safely to face the sun, or put on top of the wind-up caravan, when stationary. It travelled safely with all the other junk on the floor of the van and we went on some rough roads. The frame had the added benefit of reinforced it so no flexing. Now you can get flexible ones which would be safer if you tend to drop everything!?!

I use a 64watt Unisolar Panel in a aluminium frame its has a flexible panel no glass does the job to run my Bushman Fridge with plenty in reserve charges about 3.8 amp with a small 5watt regulator fitted into the junction box the panel is a bit on the large side but fits neatly accross behind the front seats of the Patrol it measures in frame 137x74cm .Also hav a 125watt Kyocera on top of Caravan plenty of GRUNT for our offroad camping.

They're not actually that fragile Mike. Not as much as a computer or camera, anyway. It should come in a box complete with packaging which we've found sufficient when transporting. Once you're set up you'd have to be Blind Freddie to fall over it, even at night.

Mike. Have mine on the roof when we go away. Out the way no tripping over them.
Had frames made for them which I can tilt if need be. fit on RHINO racks. They
must be quite tough I have had no trouble with them, h ad the about 5yrs now. Hope this works. Brian

Mike, I've been using a 55 watt BHP job for the last 10 years, it's done service on top of a caravan, in the back of a 4x4, on top of the shed and now on top of my pergola to keep the security light going at night, no special precuations, it's been dropped, bumped and chucked around, go for it.

Hi Mike,

Thank you for thinking about me.

My ABR 100W Bi-fold will suit most people. The BP panels used are quite strong and don't need to be nursemaided. Don't drop them on a rock or likes but they will give you years of good service. Keep them in the carry bag and when travelling use a piece of 3mm ply to protect the cells if you intend packing things on top of them.

Regards Derek.

Most are designed to take hail stones up to a certain size and gailforce winds over 220km/h!

Glen.

Hi Mike. I have been using 3 Solarex 55 watt panels for the past 8 years. They are about 1 metre long and 450mm wide and are mounted in a 50mm aluminium frame. I have dropped them a few times (not from hight) and they are close to as good as new! Been through the high country, Big Desert, Simpson & Innamincka & around VK2 & 6.
Storing them is a bit of a pain. I now mostly use just 2 and have them mounted under the roof rack along side the Rhino bars of the roof rack.
2 panels will keep you going for a few days running the 40 litre Engel.
With a good AGM battery (Hi Dereck) you should be able to do a fast top up charge via the alternator. you need to position the panels during the day for best output. Panel efficiency will decrease with an increase in heat whilst the drain on the battery will increase with heatdue to the fridge running harder.
Solution, drink Scotch & not beer!!
Cheers, Tony.